Build Smarter Chicken-Keeping Projects

Backyard Chicken Projects is where we document practical DIY builds for chicken keepers who want to save money, solve real problems, and improve their flock setup over time.

Each project is designed to include materials, tools, step-by-step instructions, photos, real-world notes, and future updates after the project has been used with an actual flock.

Featured DIY Chicken Projects

BCP-001: 55-Gallon Gravity Chicken Feeder

Build a high-capacity gravity feeder using a plastic barrel and poultry feeder ports. Great for reducing refills and cutting down on feed waste.

View Project Preview →

BCP-002: 55-Gallon Chicken Waterer

A long-term watering setup designed to reduce daily refills and keep clean water available for larger flocks.

Coming Soon

BCP-003: Roll-Away Nesting Box

A practical nesting box project to help keep eggs cleaner and reduce egg eating.

Coming Soon

BCP-004: Predator-Proof Coop Upgrade

Hardware cloth, better latches, secure openings, and practical upgrades to help protect chickens from common predators.

Coming Soon

What Makes These Projects Different?

These projects are not meant to be quick copy-and-paste DIY articles. The goal is to build, photograph, test, and update each project based on real use.

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Real Photos

Each project will include build photos, detail shots, and finished project images.

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Video Walkthroughs

Future projects may include videos showing the build process and finished setup.

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Measurements

Projects will include practical measurements, spacing, cost notes, and lessons learned.

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Flock Tested

Whenever possible, projects will be tested with real chickens and updated over time.

Project Categories

🥣 Feeders

Gravity feeders, bucket feeders, barrel feeders, feed storage ideas, and waste-reducing builds.

💧 Waterers

Bucket waterers, barrel systems, nipple waterers, winter water setups, and low-maintenance watering ideas.

🏠 Coop Upgrades

Ventilation, roosts, doors, nesting boxes, layout improvements, and coop organization.

🦊 Predator Protection

Run reinforcement, hardware cloth upgrades, better latches, electric netting ideas, and predator-resistant improvements.

Start With Planning Tools

Before building, it helps to know your flock size, feed needs, coop space, and startup costs. These calculators can help you plan before buying materials.

🐥 Flock Planner

Estimate how many chickens you need based on egg goals, feed use, and coop requirements.

Open Planner →

🌾 Feed Cost Calculator

Estimate feed usage, monthly feed costs, and yearly feed expenses.

Open Calculator →

🏠 Coop Cost Estimator

Estimate coop, run, equipment, fencing, and startup costs.

Open Calculator →

More Projects Coming Soon

The first project in this series is the 55-gallon gravity chicken feeder. As more projects are built, photographed, and tested, this page will become the main hub for the Backyard Chicken Projects library.

Future builds may include automatic waterers, predator-proofing upgrades, feed storage systems, dust bath stations, brooder setups, and chicken tractor ideas.